Culture journalist writing about music, film, TV, fashion, photography, LGBTQ culture, nightlife, travel and the internet.
‘There was three of them waiting, like: play this track or else’: DJ EZ, the reality-bending maestro of the decks
The staunch champion of garage is one of the UK’s most talented musicians, manipulating tracks at lightning speed. In a rare interview he discusses neurodiversity, being teetotal – and the truth about his fees.
‘Ricochet,’ a new film about an SF killing Trump exploited, hits streaming
“Ricochet,” a documentary newly available on Apple TV and Amazon, tells the story of the 2015 Kate Steinle killing and trial. This is an interview with its director Chihiro Wimbush.
COMPILATION OF THE MONTH REVIEW: The Streets 'fabric mix'
600-word review of Mike Skinner's mix for fabric
Rewind: Durrty Goodz - Axiom EP
The London MC was set for stardom before his career was derailed by the most infamous murder in grime. His crowning glory fused dubstep and authentic lyricism in ways that still pop today.
(CONTRIBUTION) The Shortlist: May 2024
James Massiah is a DJ and “dub poet” who has written stanzas and spoken-word verses for everyone from Massive Attack to the King of England...
Rinse FM at 30: an oral history of the notorious London radio station
From illegal pirate radio to one of the most important musical institutions in the UK, we look back at some of Rinse FM’s key moments
Who’s Vegyn? And How Does He Make Such Subtly, Utterly Beautiful Electronic Music?
Interviewing Vegyn isn’t easy. After three months of back-and-forth, I’m finally given a time to meet him on a gray day in early March at a coffee spot in east London. I’ve been eager to make this happen. Vegyn’s career is one of the most impressive in modern music, distinguished by collaboration, style, and a fair amount of mystery.
Hyperdub at 20: a history of the pioneering London label
‘We’re making something on the edge of tomorrow’: Kode9, Jessy Lanza, Lee Gamble, Aya, Heavee and Loraine James on the legendary label’s past, present and future
From footwork to infinity: Jlin is an era-defining artist
Since first emerging with some of the loudest, fastest, most powerful music on record, Jlin has ascended well beyond the realms of 160 BPM. Her new album ‘Akoma’, featuring Björk and Philip Glass, is the work of a one-off composer
Double Cup at 10: DJ Rashad’s family and friends on his enduring legacy
The late, great producer brought Chicago footwork to a global audience. As his acclaimed album Double Cup turns 10, his closest friends and collaborators reflect on his life, work, and tragic death.
An extremely rare interview with Casisdead
Ahead of his long-awaited album Famous Last Words, the UK’s most mysterious rap star sits down with THE FACE to chat about death, drugs and being reduced to tears by the voice of Neil Tennant.
The Polymaths are plotting world domination
Raza Tariq and his crew The Polymaths are out to reshape the creative industry in their own image. But is the 21-year-old really the “greatest artist in human history”, as he puts it? Or is he just a very ambitious young man?
The art of drum’n’bass MCing, according to the new generation
D’n’b is back in the charts, and holds a place in the hearts of millions. Meanwhile, these young MCs are at the forefront of the genre’s renaissance.
Noseblunts and hippy jumps: a brief history of skateboarding’s love affair with cannabis
A house party somewhere in New York city. Teenage skate kids pass a joint around a bedroom. As things start getting steamy, Camille escapes to the roof, stoned.
The age of K: how ketamine became the decade’s defining drug
I was lying in a hospital bed wondering if things could possibly get any worse. It was 6am. I’d almost completely sobered up, about 12 hours after dislocating my hip in a fight with my best mate. The fight wasn’t serious, but he won. He’s a lot bigger than me, but it looked for a second like I had the upper hand. Then he hit me with an RKO. It’s a wrestling move. Look it up. It stopped being funny pretty quickly.